Question

Colorado Springs, Colorado is located near the base of Pikes Peak. The elevation of the city is 1,881 meters. The top of Pikes Peak is 4,301 meters. If average atmospheric conditions prevail, how much temperature drop should a hiker expect to encounter because of the elevation differential between Colorado Springs and the top of Pikes Peak?

A. 2.420 degrees Celsius

B. 3.720 degrees Celsius

C. 4.620 degrees Celsius

D. 5.420 degrees Celsius

Answer 1

Using the average lapse rate of 6.5°C per 1000 meters, the temperature drop from Colorado Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak would be approximately 15.73°C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is related to how temperature changes with altitude which is a concept in Physics, specifically concerning the lapse rate in the atmosphere. The average lapse rate in the troposphere is about 6.5 degrees Celsius for every 1000 meters of altitude increase.

Given the elevation of Colorado Springs at 1,881 meters and the elevation of the top of Pikes Peak at 4,301 meters, the elevation differential is 2,420 meters. Using the average lapse rate, the expected temperature drop would be approximately 15.73 degrees Celsius (2.42 km x 6.5 C°/km = 15.73 C°).

However, since none of the provided answer choices match this calculation, it seems there might be an issue with the answer choices or a misunderstanding in the lapse rate provided.